Monday, 31 October 2016

Master the Big Six Model: Step-by-Step Guide with Real-Life Examples for Problem Solving

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Big Six Stage is a well-known information literacy model designed to help individuals solve problems and make decisions effectively by following a structured process. It is commonly used in education and workplace settings. Below is a detailed breakdown of the six stages:


1. Task Definition

What to do?

  • Identify the problem or task at hand.
  • Determine what information is needed to address the task.

Key Questions:

  • What is the problem or question I need to solve?
  • What information do I need to complete this task?

Example: If you're assigned a project on climate change, define the specific aspects you need to research, like causes, effects, and potential solutions.


2. Information Seeking Strategies

What resources can I use?

  • Identify all possible sources of information.
  • Evaluate which sources are most reliable and relevant.

Key Questions:

  • What are the best resources for this task (books, websites, interviews)?
  • How do I prioritize them?

Example: For climate change, you may use scientific journals, government reports, and credible websites like NASA or the UN.


3. Location and Access

Where can I find the information?

  • Locate the resources identified in the previous step.
  • Access and retrieve the needed information.

Key Questions:

  • Where can I find these resources (libraries, online, interviews)?
  • Do I have access to these resources?

Example: Access an online database for scientific articles or visit the library to find books on climate change.


4. Use of Information

What does the information say?

  • Engage with the resources (read, listen, observe).
  • Extract relevant and useful information.

Key Questions:

  • What information is relevant to my task?
  • How can I organize the extracted information?

Example: Highlight key data from a journal article about rising global temperatures and take notes for later use.


5. Synthesis

How do I organize and present the information?

  • Organize the information logically.
  • Create a final product (essay, presentation, report) that communicates the findings effectively.

Key Questions:

  • How can I combine the information to address the task?
  • What format should I use to present my findings?

Example: Compile your research into a PowerPoint presentation or write a report summarizing the causes and solutions to climate change.


6. Evaluation

How well did I do?

  • Assess the effectiveness of your process and the final product.
  • Identify areas for improvement.

Key Questions:

  • Did I meet the requirements of the task?
  • What could I do differently next time?

Example: Evaluate your presentation for clarity, accuracy, and whether it effectively communicates the key points.


Applications of the Big Six Model

  • Education: Helps students research and complete assignments.
  • Workplace: Assists in problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Personal Projects: Guides individuals in planning and completing tasks efficiently.

The Big Six provides a structured framework to tackle complex problems, ensuring a methodical approach to achieving goals.


Applied Example

1. Task Definition

Example 1: School Project

  • Task: Write an essay on the effects of deforestation.
  • Information Needed: Causes, effects, statistics, and solutions.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Task: Create a marketing strategy for a new product.
  • Information Needed: Target audience, competitors, pricing, and advertising platforms.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Task: Plan a vacation to Europe.
  • Information Needed: Destinations, visa requirements, budget, and travel itineraries.

2. Information Seeking Strategies

Example 1: School Project

  • Possible Sources: Textbooks, online articles, documentaries, and interviews with environmental experts.
  • Prioritize: Use scientific journals for credible statistics and government reports for reliable information.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Possible Sources: Customer surveys, competitor websites, market research reports, and social media trends.
  • Prioritize: Focus on market research reports and competitor analysis for data-driven insights.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Possible Sources: Travel blogs, airline websites, visa agencies, and travel forums.
  • Prioritize: Use travel forums for tips and airline websites for flight options.

3. Location and Access

Example 1: School Project

  • Locate textbooks in the school library.
  • Access online articles using search engines or educational databases like Google Scholar.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Access customer survey results through internal databases.
  • Research competitors' websites and download relevant reports.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Book tickets on airline websites.
  • Visit the embassy website for visa requirements.

4. Use of Information

Example 1: School Project

  • Read and summarize key points about deforestation causes and effects from an article.
  • Highlight useful quotes or statistics to include in the essay.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Analyze survey data to identify customer preferences.
  • Create a chart showing competitors' pricing trends.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Compare flight prices across multiple airlines and note the most cost-effective options.
  • Extract essential tips from travel blogs about must-see destinations.

5. Synthesis

Example 1: School Project

  • Organize research into sections (e.g., Introduction, Causes, Effects, and Solutions).
  • Write an essay summarizing findings with supporting examples and statistics.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Create a PowerPoint presentation with key insights on target audience, pricing strategy, and advertising channels.
  • Include visual aids like graphs and charts.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Create a travel itinerary with daily plans, including flight times, hotel bookings, and activities.

6. Evaluation

Example 1: School Project

  • Check if the essay meets the teacher’s requirements.
  • Verify if all key points about deforestation are covered and supported by credible sources.

Example 2: Workplace Scenario

  • Assess if the marketing strategy is actionable and aligned with business goals.
  • Gather feedback from colleagues or managers on the presentation.

Example 3: Personal Task

  • Review the travel plan to ensure it fits the budget and covers all desired destinations.
  • Confirm visa requirements are accurate and complete.

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